Central in the originally medieval water village of Oudega, you will find the Ankertsjerke. Situated on a small enclosed cemetery right along the east-west axis along which the village originated. A lush ivy adorns the south facade in a thick green coat.
In the language of experts, this is a church 'on medieval foundation.' Here stood a wooden chapel as early as 1132. In the year 1500, the first stone church was built. When the current church replaced it in 1755, the side walls were built on the existing foundation of monastery bricks. Parts of the old oak vault were reused at that time. Two years after construction, the church was extended on the east side. The wooden tower, with a spire and pediments, was added in 1868. The bell hanging in the tower dates back to 1623.
Over the threshold of the portal under the tower awaits an attractive interior. If you follow the beautiful wooden vault with your eyes towards the back, the roof structure reveals the place where an extension was later added. The coats of arms of Frisian administrative and judicial authorities and local authorities can be seen on two of the painted windows. Ype Staak, a glazier from Sneek, made them by hand in 1756. In the church floor, you can find some old tombstones. Among them, you'll discover a very old altar stone made of red sandstone from the eleventh or twelfth century, with five consecration crosses referring to the five wounds of Christ on the cross.
